Migrant workers in the UK who are formally identified as victims of modern slavery will be able to leave abusive employers without losing their immigration status under new visa rules.
The Home Office said the change, which takes effect from Thursday, allows affected care workers, chefs, hospitality staff and others to work for another employer for the rest of their visa.
The reform follows concerns that employers have exploited the sponsorship system by underpaying workers, imposing excessive hours and threatening their immigration status.
The minister for migration and citizenship, Jo White, said, “No victim of modern slavery should be trapped with an exploitative employer because of their immigration status. These changes will give victims the freedom to leave abusive workplaces and rebuild their lives.
“While we support them, we are also cracking down on those responsible. Rogue sponsors who exploit workers will face the full force of the law.
The Salvation Army’s deputy director of anti-trafficking and modern slavery, Maj Heather Grinsted, said: “Allowing survivors to work for another sponsor for the remainder of their visa is a crucial way to help them rebuild their lives safely and with dignity.
However, Work Rights Centre CEO, Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol, cautioned that the impact would depend “on how accessible the modern slavery framework is”, he said.
The government said employers linked to criminal exploitation would be referred to police, while further reforms would make it easier for sponsored workers to change employers.
